Thousands Gather to Bid Farewell as Raila Odinga’s Body Returns to Kenya

Post by : Saif Nasser

Veteran Leader Raila Odinga Passes Away

Kenya mourned the death of Raila Odinga, a veteran opposition leader, whose body was flown back from India on Thursday. Odinga, 80, had been receiving medical treatment in India and died on Wednesday.

Odinga was a major figure in Kenyan politics for decades. He spent time as a political prisoner and ran five times for president, though he never won the top office. Known for his long fight for democracy, he earned the nickname “Baba”, meaning “father” in Swahili, among his supporters.

Crowds Flood Nairobi Airport

Thousands of mourners gathered at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to receive Odinga’s body. The large crowd briefly stormed the airport, interrupting a ceremonial reception led by President William Ruto and other officials.

Supporters waved twigs, flags, and some arrived on motorbikes, overwhelming security and halting parts of the ceremony. Airport operations were suspended for about two hours.

Public Viewing and Stadium Farewell

Initially, the government planned a public viewing of Odinga’s body at parliament, but some supporters tried to climb the gates, forcing organizers to shift the venue to a Nairobi sports stadium.

Thousands of Kenyans, on foot and motorbikes, came to the stadium to pay their respects. Many were too young to remember 1991, when Kenya became a multi-party democracy, and they praised Odinga’s lifelong fight for political freedoms.

University student Felix Ambani Uneck said:
"He fought tirelessly for multi-party democracy, and we are enjoying those freedoms today because of his struggle."

Another mourner, Khahija Dennis, said:
"It means more people, especially us who followed him from a distance, can finally say goodbye to Baba in a place that represents the people he loved."

Tensions During Farewell

The farewell was mostly peaceful, though tensions rose when a government vehicle accidentally struck a mourner, prompting some people to throw stones before calm returned.

Odinga’s supporters, especially from the Luo community in western Kenya, remained deeply passionate. Many believe Odinga was cheated in presidential elections, which added to their devotion.

A Legacy of Democracy and Political Alliances

Though Odinga is best known as an opposition leader, he served as Prime Minister in 2008 and later formed a political pact with President Ruto in 2024. His career included many shifting alliances, yet he remained a symbol of democratic struggle and political resilience in Kenya.